Monday, June 29, 2009

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Jerod bought some Rollerblades a couple weeks ago, and he's been getting up at 5:30 a.m. to practice. Yesterday we all went to the trail together in the morning to get some exercise - and to see Jerod on his skates for the first time. He did an awesome job - even making it down a pretty steep hill several times with no spills. Parker practiced his biking, and Sawyer hung out in the jogger and did some walking on the trail. I pushed the jogger but didn't run much because of my bum toe. It wasn't too hot on the shady parts of the trail, and it was a great way to spend a laid-back Sunday morning.


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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Weekend Water Play

We have had so much fun this weekend in the sprinkler. Sometimes it's just too hot to go to the pool, so we set up the sprinkler in our shady backyard and turn the boys loose. Easy, free - and when it's naptime, we just head inside. Sawyer especially loves playing in the sprinkler. Here are some shots from our weekend water play.





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Monday, June 22, 2009

A Father's Day Note

A belated Father's Day note ... to Jerod, who works so hard for us.

Remember when Parker was this little...


And then Sawyer, so tiny ...


And now, so big...



Thank you for all you do, and for working so hard to make each fleeting moment count. Happy Father's Day. We all love you so much!

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Yogurt Berry Bran Muffins

For many reasons, we've really been trying to find ways to eat more healthfully lately. We joined the CSA, and I've been trying to make food from scratch when possible instead of buying processed foods. We only buy whole grain bread now, and we keep lots of fruit around for snacking. I found this easy muffin recipe online, and they make a great snack or breakfast. I like to take them to the pool, since they're easy to eat on the go. Sawyer really loves them; Parker is ... getting used to them.

Yogurt Berry Bran Muffins

Prep time: 10 minutes
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 muffins

Ingredients:
1 cup Fiber One original bran cereal
2 egg whites or 1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 containers (6 oz. each) vanilla yogurt (or any other flavor)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cups fresh raspberries or blueberries

Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place paper baking cup in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups, or grease bottom of each muffin cup with shortening. Place cereal in resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal bag and crush with rolling pin (or crush in food processor).
In medium bowl, stir together egg whites, oil and yogurt. Add cereal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in berries. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.




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Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Weekend in Alabama

About a week ago, we spent the weekend in Alabama visiting Jerod's Aunt Janice and Uncle Jimmy. They were celebrating 50 years of marriage - a huge accomplishment, and definitely worth a big family gathering. It was not a smooth trip for us, though. I dislocated my toe (tripped over a suitcase), and Sawyer woke several times during the night crying - not sure where he was, and also getting a cold. I finally connected to streaming white noise online (what did we do without Wi-Fi?), and we all got a few hours of sleep. Parker spent the night for the first time ever with his Nonnie in her room, and he did great. They had a blast sneaking around the hotel pretending to be secret agents. When we got home, Sawyer spiked a fever and threw up. Poor little guy. It seems to happen almost every time we travel.

Oh, my toe? I took some Advil, drank a beer, and Jerod popped it back in place. Yeouch.


Nonnie and Sawyer



My crooked toe (next to big toe, if you can't tell)


Nonnie and Parker



Sawyer at the cookout



Me and Sawyer (Shawn, Jerod's brother, in the background)



On the tractor


With Great-Aunt Janice

Parker on the trampoline

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Look Out, Michael Phelps

Parker recently completed his first round of swimming lessons at Vanderbilt Swim School, and it was so worth it. Last year would have been too early, I think, but this year the timing was right. He was so enthusiastic and not a bit afraid of the water. He was actually a little too brave, and the instructors had to keep telling him to stay on the steps while he was waiting his turn. By the end of the class (40 minutes every day for two weeks), he could swim under water, come up for air, and go back under again, swimming with "spoon hands." He got a T-shirt and a certificate, and he's movin' on up to the Advanced Beginner class next time. We're going to wait until next year, since we're going to the pool several days a week. I think he'll get plenty of practice.

What did Sawyer do while Parker was swimming?
He spent lots of time climbing around the vents, which blew warm air Marilyn Monroe-style.



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Monday, June 15, 2009

Mama Monday

Photo by Sarah B. Gilliam Photography

So my friend Julie is starting a Mama Monday post, in which moms - who are all about pictures of our kids and everyone else except ourselves - actually post a picture of themselves each week. I really can't stand pictures of me, but I'm sure someday my kids will want to see some. I'm rarely in pictures, because I'm usually the one taking them. I think it's worth a shot - and a good exercise in getting over whatever fears I have of looking at myself in pictures. Here's an excerpt from Julie's post:

"So - I am going to suggest a weekly meme: Mama Mondays. Post a picture of YOURSELF each Monday. (You can take the picture over the weekend when you’re dressed up for a date or church if you’d like but get out from behind the camera.) I bet your kids will love having those shots of you and it would be nice to see a face to go with all the things that get written from mama’s perspective."

Well, I just barely made in on Monday (only 30 minutes till Tuesday). But here it is!

Next time ... a self-portrait? Give Parker the camera? Maybe I'll get creative...

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Say Hello To My Anniversary Present

I am in heaven. I've been obsessed with getting a digital SLR for awhile now, because I am so tired of my point-and-shoot shots being out of focus. I have missed so many great moments because of the shutter delay and because the camera always wants to focus on whatever's in the background. So Jerod went out and bought the Canon Rebel XS, which I've been wanting for months and months. It's perfect for amateur shots, giving me some creative control and - finally! - a real-time shutter click and better focusing. I came home one day, and it was on the counter. Just sitting there.

Thank you, Jerod! I don't need things to celebrate our 13 years together, but I sure do like this camera. :)

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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

What We've Been Up To...

Our summer is off to a busy, busy start. I have no time to update in-depth now, but soon I'll post pics from Parker's swim school (two weeks of class and he's swimming on his own under water!), our weekend in Alabama, an early anniversary surprise, and some wonderful pictures of Sawyer, who has turned into a little boy before our eyes. Did I mention that he has officially moved up into the toddler room at preschool? More on that later. Here are a few pics from recent days.
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Birthday Boy!

Here are a few photos from Parker's birthday party on Saturday. It was risky to plan a pool party at the end of May, but we were soooo lucky. The day was hot, with no clouds in sight. Whew!! The kids had a blast, and we had a great turnout. It was a little crazy with so many people, but Erica made sure we got some pictures. So much fun. And I'm in some denial about how old this boy is getting. Five?? Wow. Happy 5th birthday, Parker. We love you!




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